Our Mission.
New Horizons provides comprehensive Professional Advocacy, Management and Staffing/Employment Services to residents in regional US prison halfway houses. By first identifying resident experience and capabilities, and then matching those skills with the requirements of the local job market, New Horizons assists in the identification of career opportunities, rather than minimum wage, dead end jobs. As the proactive advocate for the resident, this assistance empowers individuals to ‘break the cycle’, and better transition back into society in order to lead more productive, crime-free lives.
The Problem: The 'Revolving Door' of Criminal Recidivism. Criminal recidivism has been recognized by the Trump and previous administrations, as a pressing societal issue, with significant negative impacts on the economy. The Council of Economic Advisors’ (CEA) May 2018 report, Returns on Investments in Recidivism-reducing Programs, discusses the burden on the tax-financed prison system, noting that the re-arrest rates for released American felons are “in excess of 50 %.” Here in Texas, that rate is above 75% Once released from prison, felons are faced with an almost insurmountable dilemma: how to find meaningful employment that will allow them to get their lives back, provide for their families, and transition onto the path of becoming law-abiding, contributing members of society. Whether skilled or unskilled however, all are now virtually unemployable due to their conviction. To make matters worse, felons have virtually no professional advocate or services to assist them in perhaps the most critical area: actually finding consistent, meaningful, and life-sustaining jobs. While finding meaningful employment is difficult under normal circumstances, it is virtually impossible for the convicted felon. The halfway houses are neither adequately manned nor funded to put the kind of time and effort into finding meaningful jobs with reputable employers that could lead to career opportunities. As a result, the felon usually winds up with minimum wage ($7.25/hour), dead-end jobs that do not allow them to take care of themselves, much less their families. Unable to find meaningful employment, they are practically forced back to the only option they have left—committing more crimes—just to put food on their family’s table. Sadly, this ‘revolving door’ problem does not only involve the ex-felon: it significantly impacts the entire family of that ex-felon. Statistics indicate that unless the negative cycle is broken, children of ex-felons will often follow in their parents’ footsteps, thereby perpetuating this criminal recidivism problem across future generations. This is a tragic situation indeed, and one that has contributed significantly to immense growth of criminal justice and prison spending. The CEA study also reflects that, “In 2016, the United States spent over $270 billion (1.4 percent of GDP) funding the criminal justice system and maintaining prisons, while real spending on prisons has grown by 70 percent over the last 20 years” – all at the expense of the American taxpayer. What appears at first blush to be a simple, albeit significant crisis involving only the felon and their respective families, is actually a very substantial and costly societal problem--without evident resolution. |
The Solution.
This acute societal need for creating a venue to assist felons released from prison in successfully transitioning back into society, is the genesis of New Horizons Employment Solutions, LLC. In fact, New Horizons was created specifically to address this grave societal problem. For this reason, New Horizons is more of a “calling”, than a company. We are very passionate about pursuing a unique and innovative solution to significantly mitigate this tragic dilemma. New Horizons will, first and foremost, serve as perhaps the only Professional Services Advocate of its kind, working on behalf of the felon. We have created a database of 'felon-friendly', reputable businesses. We offer a unique ‘win-win’ solution to both the employer and the employee (the halfway house resident). Ex-felons need real jobs at market wages. Businesses need hard-working, motivated, dedicated and loyal employees. We are enthusiastic about this initiative & what we are doing to effectively address this critical issue.
How do we do it.
New Horizons has found a unique solution to this complex and challenging enigma that provides a win-win solution for all stakeholders. According to our recent market analysis, the economy is booming, yet companies are unable to find quality laborers; they are in desperate need of both skilled and unskilled employees. They face unprecedented problems of absenteeism and an unwillingness to work or take initiative on the part of many of those they do hire. This usually results from a hit or miss practice of having to hire, train and then subsequently release or lose employees in a very costly and time-consuming “revolving door” problem of their own. Working closely with New Horizons however, these companies will be able to hire both skilled and unskilled employees who are eager to begin working in order to begin a new chapter in their lives. New Horizons will provide advocacy and professional management services to both resident and employers. As the critical liaison between the prison/probation system, the resident and the employer, historically problematic issues can be easily resolved. Employers are made aware of a significant, yet largely unknown and untapped pool of capable, motivated workers Aside from getting a screened, “validated”, dependable and loyal employee, the employer is also informed of and able to benefit from the significant tax incentives offered to those who employ convicted felons. Additionally, normally exorbitant fees billed to the employer in the way of up-front finder’s fees or contractual obligations, can be greatly reduced or waived altogether.
Our Leadership. Our senior leadership consists of retired Army officers who have spent the majority of their adult lives serving this great nation. This critical issue is but a means to continue our service, albeit in a different manner. This is why developing innovative solutions to address this growing and menacing issue, is more of a 'Calling' than a business. With over 60 years of Leadership, Professional Management, and Problem-Solving experience, we are uniquely qualified to take on this complex issue. We have developed and are passionate about implementing a unique and innovative solution to significantly mitigate and reduce this tragic societal issue. Our methodology is as innovative as it is simple. Equally important, it will not cost the government a dime. |